Expansible link chain and connectors



A ril 25, 1967 H. F. LAVERRIERE EXPANSIBLE LINK CHAIN AND CONNECTORS Filed Feb. 10, 1964 I VII/J United States Patent C) 3,315,463 EXPANSIBLE LINK CHAIN AND CONNECTORS Henri F. Laverriere, Etrembiere, France, assignor to Etablissernents Zuccolo, Rochet &, Co., Annecy, Haute Savoie, France, a corporation of France Filed Feb. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 343,559 Claims priority, application France, Mar. 19, 1963, 928,486 Claims. (CI. 59-79) The invention relates to claims, such as bracelets or, straps of the expansible type, particularly useful as wristwatch bracelets or the like.

The invention relates more particularly to such expansible chains of the type comprising a plurality of interconnected links formed in two rows and resilient means normally biasing the links to be moved to the contracted chain position wherein the links of each row tend to be positioned closely to each other, yet permitting the links to be moved to an extended chain position wherein the links in each row are positioned apart from each other.

Desirable features for expansible link chains, such as bracelets, of this type include reliability of operation and manufacture at reasonable cost, and these are generally obtained in such bracelets now in use. Present bracelets are deficient therein, however, that they have too many parts and consequently are not inexpensive enough to manufacture.

It is accordingly among the principal objects of the invention to provide an expansible link chain of the type referred to, composed of fewer parts and made in a simpler way.

Customarily, expansible chains of this nature comprise two superposed staggered rows of links interconnected by connectors, and the connector is spring biased by the links of each row.

It is another important object of the invention to dispense with all spring bias in all the links of one of the rows.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide inexpensive and easy to assemble parts for the expansible link chain.

It is still another object of the invention to provide connectors which are inherently resilient, thereby dispensing with separate springs.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following specification and in part will be obvious therefrom without being specifically referred to, the same being realized and attained as pointed out in the claims hereof.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of Various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification.

Broadly speaking, the instant invention provides for two rows of links, with connectors therebetween, the connecters being resiliently biased only at the links of one row, for example the lower row, and free from any bias at the links of the other row, for example the upper row, it being understood that the words upper and lower are used herein only in an explanatory and not in any restrictive sense.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should 'be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the ac companying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an extended perspective view of parts of a link chain showing a link of the lower row with its two connectors and a spring;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a link turned upside down;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of an expansible link chain, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified connector;

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of another modified connector;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another modified connector;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still a further modified connector;

FIG. 8 is a-perspective view of yet another modification of the connector;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a link of the upper row, similar to that shown in FIG. 3, but embodying a modified closure member;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the closure member shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a still further modified closure member for the upper link.

In carrying the invention into effect in the embodiments which have been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings and for description in this specification, and referring now particularly to FIGS. l-3, there is provided an expansible link chain having an upper row of links including the links 1, 2 and 3, and a row of lower links, including the links 4, 5 and 6.

In FIG. 3, the chain is shown in extended position; when the bracelet is in the retracted position, the upper elements are staggered or offset with respect to the lower links, in a well-known way.

of the upper row,

The row of lower links Each link of the lower row, or lower link 4, 5 or 6, comprises a casing 7 that is closed at the bottom 7' and has an upper wall which includes two tongues 8 and 9. These tongues 8 and 9 define in the upper wall of the casing 7 a slot 8' that has a narrow central portion and two widened portions 10 and 11 formed by receding shoulders of the tongues 8 and 9; the slot 8' thus has substantially the shape of an 1.

Two elongated connectors are positioned in each lower link.

The connectors shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are in the shape of frames 12, 13, respectively, and each of these frames defines an elongated opening 18.

Each frame has an upper portion 51 and a lower portion 52. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lower portion 52 of each frame comprises a flange that projects in a direction away from the opening 18', the frame 12 having a lower flange 14 and the frame 13 a lower finage 15. Each flange defines an edge 19, that, as best shown in FIG. 1, serves as a fulcrum about which the connector, namely the frame, is tilted during chain expansion.

In assembling the lower link with the connectors, the upright portions 16 and 17 of the frames are lodged in the widened slot portions 10 and 11, respectively, of the casing 7, and the flanges 14 and 15 are disposed below the tongues 8 and 9. The flanges 14 and 15 are held in position in the casing 7 by a spring leaf 18 that is bent substantially in the shape of a V and placed in the openings 18 of the frames 12 and 13. This spring leaf 18 keeps the frames in position, as it is wider than the central portion of the slot 8.

The row of upper links Each upper link, as best shown at 2 (FIG. 3), has a housing 2' (FIG. 2), which is closed at the top, and the bottom wall of which includes two tongues 19 and 20. These tongues 19 and 20 define a slot 20' which corresponds'to the slot 8', and likewise has substantially the shape of an I, and has a narrow central section and widened end sections 21' and 22 that are confined by the end walls 21 and 22, respectively.

The upper portion 51 of a connector engages the upper housing 2 behind one of the tongues 19, 20; thus the upper portions of the frames 13', 13' of the upright portions 17, 17 (FIG. 3), respectively, engaging the housing 2' of an upper link; thus each link of the lower row is connected through its two connectors with two of the adjoining links of the upper row; The upper portions51 of the connectors are introduced into the upper link through the slot 20. Y

T o prevent the accidental removal of the connector, for instance the frames 12, 13 from their engagement with the upper link, there is provided a closure member, such as a channel structure 25 (FIG. 3). The channel member 25 frictionally engages the end walls 21 and 22, and either frictionally or resiliently be held in position thereby, or be held in any other conventional manner, to close at least the central portion of the slot 20'. As the upper portions 51 of the frames are engaged in the housings of the upper links under the tongues 19, 20, it is sufficient for the expansibility of the link chain, to provide spring bias only between the connectors and the lower links, thereby notably reducing the number of parts necessary for the link chain, and simplifying the assembly.

The material of the links may either be metal or suitable synthetic resin, and the material of the connectors, for instance the frames 12, 13 as well as any of the frames discussed below, may either be metal or suitable synthetic resin.

Modified connectors or frames The modified frame type connector, shown in FIG. 4, comprises an elongated plate that defines an elongated opening 26, and this connector'rocks about its edge 23 as a fulcrum. Preferably, the side 24 of this connector should be narrower than the opposite side, so as not to interfere with the tilting of the connector during chain expansion.

The modified elongated connector of FIG. is made of wire, the base 27 of which has been widened to form a flange with projecting edges 28 and 29, either one of which may form the tilting fulcrum. The upper portion of the connector of FIG. 5 is composed of two bent ends 30, 31 of the wire.

The modified connector of FIG. 6, on the other hand, is made from a piece having a rail head profile. In the web 32 there is cut out the opening 33, and the upper portion 34 is designed to engage the upper link, while the lower flange will engage the lower link, tilting about either the edge 35 or 36 as a fulcrum.

The modified connector of FIG. 7 is made by bending sheet metal upon itself, with an opening 37, the top portion 38 designed to engage the upper link, the lower portion 39 being larger than the upper portion 38 and arranged to engage the lower link.

The still further modified connector of FIG. 8 is composed of a single piece of elongated material, such as for instance piano wire or other suitable material, and is shaped as 'an elongated loop. The upper integral strip or portion 40 serves to engage the upper link, and the lower integral parallel strips or portions 41, 44 being designed to'be positioned in the casing 7 of a lower link. The bent ends 42 and 43 serve as link engaging members I to rest on the bottom of the casing 7, and their tips serve as fulcrums for tilting. The resilency inherent in that structure will supply the power .needed to return the expanded chain to its retracted position; where a connector or frame of the type of FIG. 8 is. used, the spring 18 may therefore be dispensed with.

Closure for upper links In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a modified closure member 25 is provided which is a rod of cylindrical shaped (FIGS. 9, 10); like the closure member 25, it is secured in place by the tongues 19 and 20 in addition to the frictional holding action of members 21 and 22 of the upper link.

A still further modified closure member 25" is shown in FIG. 11. It has end sections 25a and 25b of inferior diameter that are narrower than the width of the widened slot portions 21', 22', so that an instrument, such as a pin, may be inserted between either end section 25a, 25b, thereby releasing the upper portions 51 of the connectors from their engagement with the upper link; thereby the chain may be shortened for one (upper) link.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is as fol-lows:

1. In an expansible link chain, the combination of a series of links disposed at least in the contracted position of the chain in two rows, the links of each row being staggered relative to the links of the other row, and two connectors for each link, each connector being connected to a link of one row and connected to a link of the other row, said connectors thereby connecting each link of one row with two links of the other row, said connections being free from any bias in the links of one row and being resiliently biased in the links of the other row for urging the links into the contracted chain position, each link comprising a hollow casinghaving tongues defining a I-shaped slot through which the connectors are inserted for connection to the links, the tongues of the link of one row being provided in a face thereof adjacent to the face of the links of the other row containing the tongues thereof, and a closure member removably inserted in the slot of each bias-free link, of said one row for releasably closing at least a portion of the slot, thereby restraining disengagement of the connectors from the link of said one row.

2. In an expansible link chain, the combination of a series of links disposed at least in the contracted position of the chain in two rows, the links of each row being staggered relative to the links of the other row, and two connectors for each link, each connector being connected to a link of one row and connected to a link of the other row, said connectors thereby connecting each link of one row with two links of the other row, said connectors being free from any bias in the links of one row and being resiliently biased in the links of the other row for urging the links into the contracted chain position, each link comprising a hollow casing having tongues defining a I-shaped slot through'which the connectors are inserted for connection of the links, the tongues of the links of one row being provided in a face thereof adjacent to the face of the links of the other row containing the tongues thereof, and a channel structure removably inserted in the slot of each bias-free link of said one row for releasably closing at least a portion of the slot, thereby restraining disengagement of the connectors from the link of said one row.

3: In an expansible link chain, the combination of a.

series of links disposed at least in the contracted position of the chain in two rows, the links of each row being staggered relative to the links of the other row, and two connectors for each link, each connector being connected to a link of one row and connected to a link of the other row, said connectors thereby connecting each link of one row with two links of the other row, said connectors being free from any bias in the links of one row and being resiliently biased in the links of the other row for urging the links into the contracted chain position, each link comprising a hollow casing having tongues defining a I-shaped slot through which the connectors are inserted for connection to the links, the tongues of the links of one row being provided in a face thereof adjacent to the face of the links of the other row containing the tongues thereof, and a closure member formed of a cylindrical rod removably inserted in the slot of each bias-free link of said one row for releasa bly closing at least a portion of the slot, thereby restraining disengagement of the connectors from the link of said one row.

4. In an expansible link chain as claimed in claim 3, said slot having a narrow central portion and two widened end portions, said closure member comprising a rod having a central cylindrical section positionable to close said narrow portion of said slot for restraining disengagement of the connectors from the links of said one row, and having two end sections of inferior diameter, having a width smaller than that of the widened end portions of the slot permitting the insertion of an instrument for removal of said closure member.

5. In an expansible link chain, the combination of a series of links disposed at least in the contracted position of the chain in two rows, the links of each row being staggered relative to the links of the other row and the links of both rows comprising a hollow casing having tongues defining a I-shaped slot in the facing surfaces of the links of both rows, connectors arranged to connect each link of one row with the adjacent links of the other row, each connector comprising a frame having the profile of an L and defining an elongated opening including an elongated bottom portion having a bottom surface engaging a link of said other row, a side edge defined on said bottom portion forming a fulcrum spaced from said opening and an elongated top portion, two such connectors being arranged side by side with the edges of the bottom portions disposed respectively in opposite directions within a link of said other row, the elongated top portions of said two connectors respectively hingedly engaging two adjacent links of the said one row, a closure member removably inserted in the slot of each link of said one row of links and a leaf spring inserted in each link of said other row of links to close the slots thereof and to bias the connectors inserted therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,063,238 11/1962 Manella 59-795 FOREIGN PATENTS R 17,099 6/1856 Germany. 1,296,674 5/1962 France. 1,216,982 12/1959 France. 1,129,335 5/1962 Germany.

861,128 2/1961 Great Britain.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN EXPANSIBLE LINK CHAIN, THE COMBINATION OF A SERIES OF LINKS DISPOSED AT LEAST IN THE CONTRACTED POSITION OF THE CHAIN IN TWO ROWS, THE LINKS OF EACH ROW BEING STAGGERED RELATIVE TO THE LINKS OF THE OTHER ROW, AND TWO CONNECTORS FOR EACH LINK, EACH CONNECTOR BEING CONNECTED TO A LINK OF ONE ROW AND CONNECTED TO A LINK OF THE OTHER ROW, SAID CONNECTORS THEREBY CONNECTING EACH LINK OF ONE ROW WITH TWO LINKS OF THE OTHER ROW, SAID CONNECTIONS BEING FREE FROM ANY BIAS IN THE LINKS OF ONE ROW AND BEING RESILIENTLY BIASED IN THE LINKS OF THE OTHER ROW FOR URGING THE LINKS INTO THE CONTRACTED CHAIN POSITION, EACH LINK COMPRISING A HOLLOW CASING HAVING TONGUES DEFINING A I-SHAPED SLOT THROUGH WHICH THE CONNECTORS ARE INSERTED FOR CONNECTION TO THE LINKS, THE TONGUES OF THE LINK OF ONE ROW BEING PROVIDED IN A FACE THEREOF ADJACENT TO THE FACE OF THE LINKS OF THE OTHER ROW CONTAINING THE TONGUES THEREOF, AND A CLOSURE MEMBER REMOVABLY INSERTED IN THE SLOT OF EACH BIAS-FREE LINK, OF SAID ONE ROW FOR RELEASABLY CLOSING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE SLOT, THEREBY RESTRAINING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CONNECTORS FROM THE LINK OF SAID ONE ROW. 